China is the main destination for Brazilian exports

On 15 August 1974, Brazil and China established diplomatic relations, and over the years the Asian country became Brazil's greatest trade partner. This Thursday (15), the two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomacy.

“President Lula determined that we resume our good diplomatic relations with foreign countries. In these 50 years, we have had many trade opportunities with China, so much so that it has become our main partner. At MAPA [the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply], we work towards more bilateral advances on economic relations” stated Minister Carlos Fávaro.

According to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministério de Relações Exteriores/MRE), bilateral relations are structured in the China-Brazil High-Level Coordination and Cooperation Commission (COSBAN). Established in 2004, the commission was elevated to a global strategic partnership in 2012. This year, it is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

According to the Secretariat for Trade and International Relations (Secretaria de Comércio e Relações Internacionais /SCRI) at MAPA, China was the primary destination for Brazilian agribusiness exports between July 2023 and July 2024, with a total of USD 57.94 billion. This represents an 8.9% increase compared to the previous period. In 2023, exports reached a new record, surpassing USD 60 billion—a rise of over USD 9 billion compared to 2022.

Brazil exported USD 28.44 billion in agricultural products to China in the first half of 2024.

The main products exported to China are soybeans, corn, sugar, beef, chicken, cellulose, cotton, and pork. Brazil’s imports from China total approximately USD 1.18 billion, comprising forest and textile products, among others.

"Diplomatic relations between Brazil and China, particularly under President Lula's and Minister Carlos Fávaro’s administration, have reached an unprecedented level. With this successful diplomacy, we harvested the fruits of robust commercial negotiations that consolidated China as our main strategic partner in agribusiness,” highlighted SCRI Secretary Roberto Perosa.

A key factor in the growth of exports was China's approval of 38 new Brazilian meat processing plants in March 2024—the highest number of approvals granted to date. This included 34 meatpacking facilities and 4 distribution centers. As a result, the number of Brazilian companies authorized to export to China increased from 106 to 144.

Minister Carlos Fávaro has already participated in two ministerial missions to China, the latest one as part of the delegation that accompanied the Vice President of the Republic, Geraldo Alckmin, in June this year. During the mission, the Federal Government closed a deal to promote Brazilian coffee in the largest Chinese coffeehouse chain, with an expected purchase of approximately 120,000 tons of coffee.

To maintain dialogue and strong trade relations, China is currently the only country counting on two Brazilian agricultural attaché positions, operating in Beijing.

Perosa also stated that the restoration of a fruitful dialogue with the Asian country allows for significant progress, such as the expansion of exports of key products, further strengthening Brazil's role on the global stage.

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